What's on in October

The Goblin King is released on the 4th and I'm doing a book signing at 10:30am on October 8 at Temptation the Romance Bookstore in Subiaco, WA.

But if you don't live in Perth there's plenty of other places to find me as I'll be blogging all over the place (I'll be updating Twitter and facebook as the posts go live).






All Things Urban Fantasy is have Spooky Legends 2 and Roan (from The Goblin King) will be sharing his view on the the Black Shuck.






Night Owl Reviews is having a scavenger hunt so if you haven't joined in it's not too late and there's plenty of prizes.

Whose Story Is it?

There’s a new, independent bookshop, Crow Books, just opened in my neighbourhood- let’s hear it for the true believers in books!!  Once a month, there’s a  “Meet the author and have a taste of a local wine-maker’s produce” evening. How very civilised.

This week, Lesley and I went along to meet and listen to Liz Byrski talk about her new book, Last Chance Cafe. Liz, author of ten Australian novels, writes about women entering the third age of their lives: in their fifties and sixties, these women have new beginnings, opportunities and adventures.

I was fascinated to discover that Liz, whose books I enjoy very much, is a ‘panster’ with a difference. Somehow, I’d always assumed she plotted her characters adventures and growth, but she doesn’t. Liz brings together  a framework of issues about which she is passionate- the vibrancy of women’s lives after the family-raising stage, the quest to redefine self, take that adventure always put aside for others, revisit turning points and set them in perspective, among others. Then her characters introduce themselves to her, create themselves and set out along the roads that they define. Liz writes of their journeys, never quite sure where that will lead, only that each action, decision and turning point is true for that character. When her stories bog down, Liz says, she knows she isn’t listening to her women.  

It was an important lesson for me to carry away from a very enjoyable event. Writing historicals, I can become carried away with the facts and realities of the period. I need to listen more, hear what my characters are feeling, follow their journeys and stop bossing them around!

Heroes and Dads

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there.

I thought I would devote this blog to Dad’s, Grandpa’s and men in general.

With this in mind, I began to think about the heroes in books and which one was my favourite.  It might be cliché but Mr Darcy is at the top of the list.  Not because of his brooding quality, his money or his devotion to Elizabeth but that I can relate to him.  I, like Mr Darcy, can be misunderstood.  Being in a room full of people makes me uneasy too and often people who don’t know me call me a snob rather than shy or reserved.  I say things with tact (mostly) but don’t suffer fools.  And I envy the Elizabeth’s of the world who can laugh at themselves and ‘converse easily with strangers’.  Perhaps that is why I too am drawn to them in a partner.

My favourite character that is a Dad would have to be Steve from Debbie Macomber’s ‘This Matter of Marriage’.  He’s a fun father of two and leaps to the rescue when Halle’s niece comes to stay and won’t stop crying.  You’ve got to love a capable man!

My favourite Grandpa character is Stanley from Rachel Gibson’s ‘The Trouble with Valentine’s Day’.  I like his keen observations on his granddaughters’ affair and his oblivion with his own budding romance.

So for all the heroes out there – no matter your age – thanks for being memorable words on the page.

And to my Dad – you are an amazing man and I will love you forever.

Who are your favourite Hero/Dad/Grandpa characters?